Howler monkey

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Howler monkeys
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Atelidae Subfamily: Alouattinae Trouessart, 1897 (1825) Genus: Alouatta Lacepede, 1799
Type Species
Simia belzebul Linnaeus, 1766
Species
Alouatta coibensis Alouatta palliata Alouatta pigra Alouatta belzebul Alouatta guariba Alouatta macconnelli Alouatta nigerrima Alouatta sara Alouatta seniculus Alouatta caraya

The howler monkeys (genus Alouatta monotypic in subfamily Alouattinae) are among the largest of the New World monkeys. Nine species are currently recognised. Previously classified in the family Cebidae, they are now placed in the family Atelidae.

Howler monkeys range in size from 56 to 92cm, excluding their tail which can be equally as long. Like many New World monkeys, they have prehensile tails. They have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. These monkeys are native to South and Central American forests. They live in groups of usually about 18 individuals. Threats to howler monkeys include being hunted for food and export.

As their name suggests, vocal animal communication forms an important part of their social behavior. Specifically, the name comes from their distinctive loud barking whoop they make, which can be heard over considerable distances. They have an enlarged basihyal or hyoid bone which helps them make their loud sound. Unlike other New World monkeys, both male and female howler monkeys have trichromatic colour vision.

The large slow moving monkeys are the only folivores of the New World monkeys. Howlers eat mainly top canopy leaves, together with fruit, buds, and flowers. They move quadrapedally and do not brachiate, usually holding on to a branch with at least two hands or one hand and the tail at all times. Their prehensile tails are strong enough to support the monkey's entire body weight, although they seldom do so. The first 2 fingers of each hand are set apart and are opposable to the other three. They very seldom leave the trees.

[edit] Howlers and humans

Howlers are seen in the art of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization.

Alexander von Humboldt said that "their eyes, voice, and gait are indicative of melancholy", while John Lloyd Stephens described those at the ruins of Copán as "grave and solemn as if officiating as the guardians of consecrated ground".

While seldom aggressive, they do not take well to captivity and are of surly disposition, and hence are the only monkey in their forests not made a pet by the Native Americans.

[edit] Other names

Howlers are called "congos" in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In Belize they are called "baboons", although they are not related to the primate which usually carries that name.

[edit] Classification

• Family Atelidae
  • Subfamily Alouattinae
    • A. palliata group
      • Coiba Island Howler, Alouatta coibensis
        • Alouatta coibensis coibensis
        • Azuero Howler Monkey, Alouatta coibensis trabeata
      • Mantled Howler, Alouatta palliata
      • Guatemalan Black Howler, Alouatta pigra
    • A. seniculus group
      • Red-handed Howler, Alouatta belzebul
      • Brown Howler, Alouatta guariba
        • Northern Brown Howler, Alouatta guariba guariba
        • Southern Brown Howler, Alouatta guariba clamitans
      • Guyanan Red Howler, Alouatta macconnelli
      • Amazon Black Howler, Alouatta nigerrima
      • Bolivian Red Howler, Alouatta sara
      • Venezuelan Red Howler, Alouatta seniculus
        • Colombian Red Howler, Alouatta seniculus seniculus
        • Alouatta seniculus arctoidea
        • Juara Red Howler, Alouatta seniculus juara
    • A. caraya group
      • Black Howler, Alouatta caraya
  • Subfamily Atelinae

Howler, Costa Rica

Howler, Belieze

Tail (Alouatta palliata)

Left hand (Alouatta palliata)

Mantled Howling Monkey (Alouatta palliata)

[edit] References

• Groves, Colin (16 November 2005). Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds) Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 148-152. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
• Jacobs, G. H., Neitz, M., Deegan, J. F., & Neitz, J. (1996). "Trichromatic colour vision in New World monkeys". Nature (382): 156-158.

[edit] External links

• Primate Info Net Alouatta Factsheets
• Howler monkey audio recording
• .wav file of howler monkeys
• Information about howler monkeys from Belize Zoo (photos, video and audio included)
• "The Loudest Animal in the New World," Smithsonian National Zoological Park